momrath

We're spending four nights in Venice in July (at the Flora thanks to many glowing recommendations on this forum). We then have four free nights before we fly to New York. What would you do with this time? The only restrictions are that we must fly from a major city and we don't want to rent a car. <BR> <BR> <BR>

hello

Hello! <BR>How about Florence? It's about a 3-4 hour train trip from Venice. Siena, which is close to Florence, is also very nice. Or Ljubliana (however it's spelled!), Slovenia. I've heard that's a nice place to visit..

Gail

My choice would be Bellagio on Lake Como, or one of the other lake towns. It's accessible to Malpensa, without a car rental, through train, taxi, shuttle. You can take the train from Venice to Milan, then a local to either Como or Varenna. Take the hydrofoil from Como or the ferry from Varenna. If you want to know more, do a search on this forum for Como or Bellagio - there have been lots of posts about the area.

Paul

Why not rent a car and drive west, visiting Verona, Padova (Padua), and Lago di Garda.

jane

I second the suggestion that you go to Ljubljana! It's very beautiful and compact - often described as a "mini Prague" (and it enables you to visit another country!) I think there's a regular ferry service from Venice to the Slovene coast (or maybe Trieste?). There's also a nice coastal fishing town called Piran which is bilingual Italian/Slovene - it's about 2 hours from Ljubljana.

Mary

My recommendation would be Florence, Florence, Florence!! It is a remarkable city with culture, quaintness & the ARNO! I cannot wait to return! I went from Venice to Florence several years ago and the train ride was so easy & quick I barely remember it! If you need any further information, please feel free to write <BR> <BR>Mary

richard j vicek

Good afternoon, Momrath <BR>Would suggest three places, a breif visit to Padua for St. Anthonys and <BR>the Scrovengi Chapel, continue on <BR>to and over nite (2) Verona with <BR>a hotel near the Arena. Continue <BR>on for (2) more nights in Bologna. <BR>Bologna is not a favorite spot for <BR>bus tours, hardly any stop there for <BR>any length of time, however is a <BR>friendly city with more than above <BR>average food. <BR>Rail connections to Milano are also <BR>very good. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il...

kam

I like Richard's suggestions of Padua, Verona and Bologna. Hardly anyone visits Bologna and it has a nice, but rather small historic center and some of the very best food you can find in Italy. Otherwise, you can stay north and do Verona and the lakes from the train and then on into Milan.

lisa

With four extra nights, you should do ROME if you haven't been there before! Makes a great contrast with Venice, and you definitely don't need a car! <BR>My second choice would be Florence which is also great and also very different from Venice, and you also don't need a car there.

Rod Hoots

Just a note. Venice and anywhere but the mountains is very hot and humid in July. I would suggest the lake country. <BR>

Tony

I'd be heading for the hills and lakes too. Personally in July, I think Florence and Rome are best left for another trip, after 4 days in Venice. There's only so much heat, crowds and culture one can take at a time. <BR>Why not get a 4 day Eurail pass, which can also be used on most lake steamers as well as trains, head for the Lake Como, Lugano and Locarno region and then trains through the Alps to Zurich as your departure airport. <BR>Despite my earlier comments I would try and spend an evening in Verona though.